what if you must take meds with gluten in them (antibiotics)

thedell19 · Post by **thedell19** » Wed May 24, 2006 6:50 pm

So I am assuming this topic has come up once or twice. What happens if you have to take meds containing gluten; like a round of antibiotics?

artteacher · Post by **artteacher** » Wed May 24, 2006 8:38 pm

Do an internet search and see if you can find a non-gluten alternative, or even a compounding pharmacy that can make it for you (the Medicine Shoppe is one).

I find it easier to do the research for my doctor so he has a list of acceptable antibiotics to choose from. Surprizingly, he said thank you, and that he really appreciated it because it saved him some homework. (I have a list of non-gluten, non dairy, sulfite free drugs).

And if you can't avoid it, it might be better to take the medicine even if it has gluten rather than be sick. Just my opinion, though. I have to be pretty sick before I'll give in.

Love, Marsha

thedell19 · Post by **thedell19** » Wed May 24, 2006 9:40 pm

Well it is only day 8 of my diet and I might have to start an antibiotic soon (just did stool samples today to see if I have a worm or parasite). But since it is so early in my diet, should I feel any gluten effects? I wouldnt think so, I would think it would only delay my progress

Lucy · Post by **Lucy** » Wed May 24, 2006 9:58 pm

Hi,

It's no big deal to have a med compounded. I just had one done for my mother. It's not a Medicine Shoppe, but just a privately owned pharmacy that used to be closer to us, and has been in town for years. This is the way everyone used to get their prescriptions, by the way.

One thing you learn when you start on this journey is that it's much too easy to give in when you don't have to. Occasionally something will sneak into your diet, but that's the ONLY way you should eat that stuff. Same goes for special occasions. Once you start sneaking a bite here and there, you can kiss your gf diet goodbye.

Now I'm sounding like a tough drill sargeant, but I know that's the way it would've been had I started cheating here and there. Besides, once you find out where there's a convenient pharmacy that you like, it will be easy to go back there the next time you need something compounded. Be sure to write the no. of the one you like in your address book, along with a second alternative one, just in case.

OK, sermon over. Sure hope you get all better soon!
Yours, Luce

Post by **tex** » Wed May 24, 2006 11:23 pm

I have to agree with Luce. Either you're on a glutten free diet, or you're not. It's not something that most of us can simply jump in and out of. A few of us seem to have mostly short-term effects, but for most of us, the damage is cumulative, and takes a relatively long time to recover from. Those who cheat on the diet, early on, usually find it impossible to refrain from doing so, from then on.

If a situation arose where I needed to take a med that contained one of my secondary intolerances, (such as dairy, for example), I never considered that a big deal and I would take the med, if I thought I needed it. After all, it might make me sick for a day or three, but it wouldn't create long-term damage, the way gluten does.

Personally, I would never knowingly ingest any gluten. That would be the same as ingesting a known toxin, (which a couple of the gliadins in gluten, are, of course).

Are there any antibiotics that actually contain gluten?

Tex

thedell19 · Post by **thedell19** » Thu May 25, 2006 11:24 am

I dont know if there are any antibiotics that contain gluten. I am having a hard time finding a compounding pharmacy because I live in a very small town. Would ordering from a compounding pharmacy work over the internet?

Post by **tex** » Thu May 25, 2006 1:03 pm

I live in a rural area, surrounded by small to medium size towns. I was surprised to discover that there is at least one compounding pharmacy in each of these towns, (except for the tiny ones, of course, which don't even have a drugstore). Around here, most of the indepentent drugstores can compound prescriptions.

I assume that could be done over the internet, but I've never investigated that possibility. Here's a compounding pharmacist locator:

http://www.iacprx.org/site/Survey?ACTIO ... EY_ID=1260

Tex

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Thu May 25, 2006 1:15 pm

In all the years I lived in upper PA. I never knew that there was a compounding pharmacy there. I didn't happen to use that pharmacy so I just never had occasion to find out, I suppose. I don't believe you'll find a compounding pharmacy under a "big name" like Walmart or CVS, etc. Your best bet is a small local independent pharmacy........... I think you MAY be able to use one over the net but I'm certainly not sure.

I also found one here in Florida right down the road from me. It's also a small, independent pharmacy.

Good Luck, Shirley

thedell19 · Post by **thedell19** » Thu May 25, 2006 3:55 pm

OK-

So I found one here in Flagstaff; surprising to me. Thanks for that locator tex. I fully intend to ahere to all the rules of the GFCF diet but I didnt know if I would need an antibiotic or something (depends on tests I did yesterday).

Lucy · Post by **Lucy** » Thu May 25, 2006 9:52 pm

That's great that you found one. Before I saw that note, I was going to mention that the one I found here happens to mail them if one is a little further than their delivery area.

It's not all that many miles from us, but due to stop lights and traffic, I had to consider that one day I might not be able to get Mom into the car. It's usually late afternoon by the time we get over there, and that's when the traffic starts to get bad.

Considering your time and gasoline, a delivery charge might well be worth it, if it's reasonable.

This medication we had to have compounded is because it's not sold in the USA for economic reasons, so it was either that or get it from Canada, so we opted to have it compounded here, particularly since we wanted to make sure she does ok on it before buying in bulk.

Reason I mention this is because it just may be that you could find a substitute medication free of the allergens that wouldn't happen to be sold in the USA. In Mom's case, it has nothing to do with the safety of the drug, just an economic thing, apparently.

I think it will be much easier than you think. I'm more concerned about your replacing those good bacteria while you are taking the antibiotic, than how difficult it might be to find an allergen-free one.
Yours, Luce

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Fri May 26, 2006 6:55 am

WOW, Tex!

You're one step ahead of me, as usual - you've already put that compounding website in the Info on Meds forum! Gotta get up REALLY early to beat you to the punch!

Love,

Polly

thedell19 · Post by **thedell19** » Fri May 26, 2006 12:03 pm

Luce-

I take probiotics on a daily basis and would double them if I had to take an antibiotic. I should know today.

Post by **tex** » Fri May 26, 2006 12:50 pm

Polly,

Hahahahaha. I only added it to the information forum because I knew that you would remind me to do that as soon as you saw my post. LOL.

IOW, you've inspired me to do a little better job of taking care of business.

Thanks.

Love,
Wayne

Tessa · Post by **Tessa** » Fri May 26, 2006 12:53 pm

Well, as mentioned by Tex, I would never knowingly ingest any gluten
(as well as casein).

When I started the GF diet I accepted doing the gluten free diet with all its consequences.

When a doctor prescribes something, I always remind him that I am gluten and casein intolerant. Usually he mentions not having any idea if the med contains lactose or gluten and I have to ask it at the Chemist, but I always buy it ONLY when I am sure it has nothing wrong for me.
If the med contains gluten or casein, the person at the Chemist helps me to find a similar one without it.

Love,
Tessa

Jean · Post by **Jean** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 1:07 pm

Andrew,

I'm a little late, but here's some info:

Amoxacilin, 500 mg capsules are gluten, dairy, corn, soy and rice free. How about your probiotics? Some of them contain gluten.

Jean